Friends of Jefferson the Beautiful, Patrons of Lafreniere Park to host special dedication

The Friends of Jefferson the Beautiful and the Patrons of Lafreniere Park will hold the third annual memorial grove dedication ceremony on Friday. The program will begin at 11 a.m. in the Foundation Center at of the park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie.

The Friends of Jefferson the Beautiful and the Patrons of Lafreniere Park will hold the third annual memorial grove dedication ceremony on Friday at 11 a.m. at Lafreniere Park in Metairie.

Those being honored are Charles Sherry, Dean Sherry, Sylvia Sherry and the Rotary Club of Metairie.

Three residents who have died will be remembered: Jerry Crawford, Ella Giesler and David Guglielmo.

In 2009, the Friends of Jefferson the Beautiful, working with park officials and members of the nonprofit Patrons of Lafreniere Park, spearheaded an effort to replace hundreds of park trees that died after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The two groups sponsored the Tree of Life, a donor-recognition sculpture located inside the foyer of the Foundation Center. Names may be placed on one of the leaves of the sculpture to commemorate a special event such as a birthday or an anniversary or to remember someone.

The sculpture has 200 gold leaves, and for every leaf purchased, a tree is planted in the grove area of the park. The grove is big enough to accommodate 50 to 75 trees.

Each leaf costs $350 and includes the engraving costs and planting of a new tree.

“Approximately 55 leaves have been dedicated to date,” said Jackie Madden, chairwoman of the project. “We still want and need businesses, schools and individuals to get involved in this project.”

If you’re interested in buying a leaf or more information about the program, call Madden at 504.888.4245 or email at JMEM1963@aol.com